Rural Renewal Stream

Rural Renewal Stream

The Rural Renewal Stream is a specialized immigration stream under the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that is designed to attract foreign workers to work for an employer in rural Alberta. This stream is intended to support economic growth in rural areas and promote long-term sustainability.

The Rural Renewal Stream is a community-driven strategy that meets local economic development requirements and contributes to community progress. The Rural Renewal Stream enables remote communities to attract and retain foreign nationals to live, work, and settle in their areas.

Before they may recruit and support candidates for the Rural Renewal Stream, communities must apply for and be designated. Candidates who have received an endorsement letter from a designated community can apply online through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. Successful applicants under the Rural Renewal Stream can obtain permanent residency in Canada, which allows them to live and work in Alberta and enjoy all the benefits of Canadian permanent residency. They can also contribute to the growth and development of their rural communities while enjoying the unique lifestyle and natural beauty of rural Alberta.

What is a Rural Alberta community?

It is any community outside of the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) that are under 100,000 in population.

Eligibility

Has a 2-step process:

1. A community designation process – the community recruits newcomers to meet labour needs and provides an Endorsement of Candidate letter to selected candidates.
2. Candidate submits the AAIP application.

Requirements

• Community endorsement requirement – At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a valid Endorsement of Candidate Letter issued by the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of your designated rural community in Alberta.
• Job offer requirements – you must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in your designated community.
• Meet the Licensing, registration and certification requirements.
• Occupation requirements – in an eligible occupation
• Qualifying work experience requirements – must have a minimum of 12 months full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the last 18 months prior to your application (experience gained in Alberta, in Canada (outside Alberta) or abroad.)

Language requirements

Language tests

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
• Test d’evaluation de français Canada (TEF Canada)
• Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)

Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time your application was submitted.

Education requirements

• Minimum of high school education equivalent to the Canadian education standard or
• A foreign degree, diploma or certificate. (You must provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (No need ECA if it is Canadian education or valid Alberta Qualification Certificate/ Trade certificate)

Settlement fund requirements

Must provide proof of funds if: not residing in Canada/ in Canada but not working.

• Funds must be unencumbered and readily available.
• Real estate property, jewelry, cars, and other personal assets are not eligible.
• If your spouse is coming with you, you can count money you have together in a joint account. You may be able to count money in an account under your spouse’s name only,
• Must provide official letters from any banks or financial institutions where your funds are kept.

How to apply

Online application

An application fee

• $500 applies to all online applications.
• need to pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your complete application.
• The $500 fee must be paid online using a single credit or debit card.

Reconsideration fee

Subject to a service fee of $100.